JORDAN Nicholls was the hero as Wivenhoe completed back-to-back wins in the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship.

The Rectory Road side defeated Ipswich by 80 runs in their first division contest on Saturday afternoon.

Nicholls hit 94 and underpinned his side's total of 232 for nine, before the Suffolk side were dismissed for 152.

Harry Burnett took three for 44 in his 9.5 overs to help his team to 20 points.

Elsewhere, Will Blackwell's five-for was the headline-grabbing performance in Coggeshall's seven-wicket success at bottom team Elmstead.

His wicket-haul came at the expense of just 15 runs in 6.2 overs as the shell-shocked reigning champions were skittled for just 103.

Only three of their players registered double figures as Dan White top-scored with 31.

Robert Cross then hit 47 not out as Coggeshall - who have now won four of their last five - stormed to 20 points.

Two other Essex sides met at Witham, where the hosts lost by three wickets to neighbours Maldon.

Although Carl Bragg hit 43, Witham were all out for 160, mainly due to Matt Anderson returning four for 38 in his 8.5 overs.

Ian Elliott then hit 38 for Maldon, although Bragg was perhaps unfortunate to finish on the losing side after taking three for 25.

Witham have now lost three in a row.

Another side out of sorts are Mistley, who sit second from bottom after losing by 110 runs at title-chasing Woolpit.

The Suffolk side batted first and accumulated 290 for eight, before dismissing the Swans for 180.

Mistley's Tim Scott took three for 59 and Dan Goff three for 60, while Stuart Baker hit 55 and Stuart Dove 41.

Third-placed Halstead suffered a rare defeat after going down by 89 runs at another side in the championship mix, leaders Worlington.

Responding to their hosts' 263 for seven, Josh Wells' side were all out for 174.

Wells took a couple of wickets, as did Joe Morris, while Craig Spooner scored 38.

Frinton had a disappointing day, losing by 81 runs against Hadleigh at Ashlyns Road.

After their visitors hit 265 for five, the Tendring team were dismissed for 184.

Skipper Sam Brynes took three for 58 but three of their top-five batsmen were dismissed for single figures and Iain Vine top-scored with 38.

In division two, Kieron Parkes celebrated a personal milestone after blasting his first century for Clacton.

The 18-year-old was in swashbuckling form during his side's 133-run success at Sudbury.

His 114 laid the foundations for an important victory – Clacton’s third in a row – and guided them to a full 20 points.

Harlan Greig also played an important role, scoring 99, as Clacton batted first and finished on 284 for six from their 45 overs.

Sudbury were then dismissed for 151, with skipper Imran Sheikh returning three wickets for 33 runs and Lewis Kirk three for 36.

Braintree enjoyed a dramatic three-run success at home to Little Bardfield.

Chris Leech (82) and Daniel Chalk (71) guided them to a score of 218, before Barry Stephens (four for 65), Robbie Spalding (three for 34) and Dean Bass (three for 47) took centre stage and dismissed Bardfield for 215.

Bardfield's main men were Tom Graham (five for 65), Daryl Hymas (four for 46) and Alan Kemp (43 not out).

Kelvedon and Feering defeated Copdock and Old Ipswichian by three wickets, Copford saw off Haverhill by 38 runs and East Bergholt ran out five-wicket victors against Ipswich and East Suffolk.